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Fire crews had to be called out on more than 80 occasions while there were also at least three evacuations.

Only Highland and Shetland health boards said there'd been no recorded incidents, while NHS Western Isles said it does not collect the statistics.

But around Scotland hundreds of people requiring hospital care continue to defy the smoking ban every year with little fear of being penalised for the breaches.

Some health boards warn individuals they may be issued with a £50 fixed penalty under the Public Health (The Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Premises) Scotland Regulations 2006, while others refer the more aggressive cases to the police.

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Patients were caught smoking in Scottish hospitals more than 1,700 times in the last three years

Clearly to smoke inside a hospital is unacceptable

Shadow health secretary Miles Briggs

But in most cases staff can only request patients and visitors stub out.

For example, NHS Fife said: "Generally for first offenders there are no sanctions taken, repeat offenders are dealt with on an individual case by case basis."

The number of annual smoking incidents has gone up in Lanarkshire from 22 to 42 and in Tayside from one to 83 over the three-year period.

NHS Lothian has also seen an increase from 15 cases in 2014 to 22 last year.

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“If they can fine wrongly parked cars, surely there is a way of imposing fixed penalties for smokers who are blatantly breaking smoking regulations.

“In addition to that people who are caught smoking inside hospitals should be send home and put right back of the queue where possible.”

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH Scotland, said a new 15 metre no-smoking zone around NHS buildings was being introduced across Scotland from the spring.

She said: "The aim is to prevent tobacco smoke, a toxic substance, drifting through doorways, windows and vents into hospital wards and public areas.

“I hope people will understand why the smoking ban is important and keep lit tobacco well away from hospitals.”

But the Scottish Conservatives said there was no simple solution. Shadow health secretary Miles Briggs added: "Clearly to smoke inside a hospital is unacceptable, and that has to be made plain to patients and visitors.

“But the issue of smoking on the hospital estate is something that has to be addressed.

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Incidents were also recorded at A&E departments, mental health and critical care units

“For some of these people a cigarette is the only relief they will get in a day during a time of immense stress.

“We need to be realistic about a solution that works for everyone, especially those who understandably come to hospital not wanting to be exposed to smoke.”

The Scottish Government said new laws were being considered with £50 on-the-spot penalties and fines of up to £1,000 against offenders.

Aileen Campbell, Minister for Public Health and Sport, added: "All NHS hospitals in Scotland aim to be smoke-free creating the right environment to promote good health, wellbeing and recovery.

“It is currently an offence to smoke within enclosed public spaces and an offence for hospitals to allow this to happen. Local authority officers and police officers have the power to help hospitals stub out smoking indoors.

“Second-hand-smoke has a detrimental impact on others and can hamper the recovery of those who choose not to smoke. Stopping smoking is one of the most important steps individuals can take to improve their health.”